Vietnam continues to demand that China withdraw illegal survey ship

"The Chinese fleet has returned to seriously violate Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam has repeatedly communicated with China, requesting it to withdraw its ships and refrain from any actions that threaten security and peace in the region," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at a press conference this afternoon.

The statement was made by Ms. Hang when asked about the measures Vietnam took against the Chinese survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8.

"The authorities continue to protect Vietnam's sovereignty and jurisdiction in accordance with international law. With the determination to protect legitimate rights, Vietnam is ready to resolve disagreements by peaceful means," according to Ms. Hang.

Vietnam calls on relevant countries to contribute to maintaining peace, maritime and aviation security, and comply with international law.

When asked about the information that Vietnam might bring the case of Chinese ships violating its waters to the Security Council and might consider suing China in an international court, Ms. Hang affirmed that Vietnam is determined to persistently protect its sovereignty and jurisdiction rights by peaceful means in accordance with international law.

On August 16, Ms. Hang also spoke out to demand that China withdraw the Haiyang Dizhi 8 geological survey ship and its escort vessels from Vietnam’s waters. This group of ships returned to violate Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and southeastern continental shelf on August 13, just a few days after withdrawing on August 7.

In July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs repeatedly voiced its opposition and demanded that China withdraw the Haiyang Dizhi 8 vessel group from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Many foreign countries and officials have also voiced their opposition to China’s actions.

Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot L. Engel affirmed that China's actions are violations of Vietnam's sovereignty and Hanoi's legitimate rights in its exclusive economic zone, blatantly disregarding international law and diplomacy.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and three senior members of the committee also condemned Beijing on August 1, saying that China's sending of ships into Vietnam's EEZ is the latest evidence of China's willingness to use coercion to assert its illegal claims in the East Sea.

During the ASEAN meeting in Thailand on August 2, the foreign ministers of the US, Japan, and Australia issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns about disruptive activities related to long-term oil and gas projects in the East Sea.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton also said on August 20 that China's recent actions "to intimidate other countries from developing resources in the East Sea are very worrying." This official affirmed that Washington firmly stands with countries against "coercive behavior and bullying tactics that threaten regional peace and security."